The Ultimate Showdown: Why the Most Beloved 'Scream' Movie Isn't the Highest-Rated on Rotten Tomatoes
Unveiling the Mystery Behind the 'Scream' Franchise's Ratings
If you were to ask a random person which 'Scream' movie is the cream of the crop, most would point to the first one. It's the undisputed fan favorite, while the sequels have their fair share of critics. Yet, surprisingly, the original 'Scream' only boasts a 78% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. How did 'Scream 2' manage an impressive 83%, and why do the latest entries, 'Scream 5' and 'Scream 6', score 76% and 77% respectively, just a hair below the original?
This discrepancy seems to challenge the general perception of these films' quality. Most agree that while the recent 'Scream' sequels are enjoyable, they pale in comparison to Wes Craven's groundbreaking original. So, what's the deal? How did the controversial 'Scream VI' manage a score so close to the first film?
The simplest explanation lies in a common misunderstanding of Rotten Tomatoes' scoring system. A 78% rating doesn't equate to a 7.8/10 on IMDb. RT reviews are categorized as either 'Fresh' or 'Rotten', so a movie with all 7/10 reviews would score 100% on the site, outranking a film with more praise but a few 'Rotten' reviews.
This is evident when comparing the positive reviews for Craven's 'Scream' and 'Scream' (2022). While both are positive, the former is more effusive, praising its reinvention of the slasher genre, while the latter merely captures some of the original's magic.
The Advantages of Being a Sequel
Original films often bear the weight of high expectations. Every beloved classic was once a trailblazer, and 'different' rarely earns universal acclaim initially. 'Scream' took a bold, meta approach to horror, with characters seemingly aware they were in a movie, a tone that could be jarring at first. It challenged the rules of what a horror movie 'should' be.
Beyond the meta element, 'Scream' struggled to please everyone. Some prefer fun, light horror, while others crave traumatic, intense scares. 'Scream' leans towards the former, disappointing those seeking the latter. Viewers often struggle to judge a horror film based on its intended scare factor rather than their personal preferences.
This is where sequels have an advantage. Most critics who didn't enjoy the first film won't bother with the sequel, so their negative reviews are absent. As the 'Scream' franchise progressed, its audience became increasingly composed of dedicated fans, rather than the general audience that flocked to the original.
The Evolution of Rotten Tomatoes
In 2023, Vulture revealed how a PR firm manipulated Rotten Tomatoes scores, including providing screeners only to critics expected to write positive reviews and even asking some to change their negative reviews to positive.
Even without manipulation, RT scores have become more positive over time. This is partly due to RT expanding its pool of verified critics, leading to more reviews from fans rather than critics. Changing the Tomatometer settings from 'All Critics' to 'Top Critics' often results in lower scores, especially for franchise sequels. For 'Scream VI', the score drops to 65% with 'Top Critics', while for the stronger 'Scream 2', it improves by 2%.
Another potential factor is critics' concerns about the film industry's health. With the box office in decline and fears that film might lose relevance, negative reviews feel harsher than before. In an era where Hollywood's survival seems miraculous, even a bad movie feels like a blessing.
So, while the 'Scream' franchise has evolved, so has Rotten Tomatoes. The question remains: Does the 'Scream' franchise's evolution match the shift in Rotten Tomatoes' scoring system? The debate is open for discussion.
